Canada finished fourth at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling 1:2 to New Zealand in the Match for Third Place at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. One of only three nations in the world to have finished top-10 in all six editions since 2008, Canada finished with thei More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team is aiming for a podium finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 as it gears up for the Match for Third Place against New Zealand on Saturday 1 December at 16:00 local (14:00 ET/11:00 PT) LIVE on TSN1 and RDS2 in Canada.“This tea More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team will now play for third place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling 0:1 to Mexico in the Semi-final at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. Canada will face New Zealand in the Match for Third Place on Saturday 1 December at More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team will face-off against Mexico in an historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Semi-final when the Concacaf rivals clash at 19.00 local (17.00 ET / 14.00 PT) on Wednesday 28 November. Both teams will be making their Semi-final debut in this competition an More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team have earned a Semi-final berth at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 for the first time in program history. Canada defeated Germany 1:0 in the Quarter-final at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo on a goal by Jordyn Huitema (83’). More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team will face a strong German side in the Quarter-final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 on Sunday, 25 November 2018 at 19:00 Local time (17:00 ET/14:00 PT) at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. The match will be available on TSN.ca a More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team have taken second place in Group D at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling 5:0 to Spain in their final group stage match. Having already qualified for the Quarter-final with six points through their opening two matches, C More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team remain undefeated after two matches at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018. Canada defeated Korea Republic 2:0 in their second group stage match at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo to move into first place in Group D with Spain and Col More

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team defeated Colombia 3:0 in the opening match at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. Jordyn Huitema’s 77’ minute goal earned Canada three points in Group D. Spain also earned three points i More

Canada Soccer's Women's U-17 team is making final preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 taking place 13 November to 1 December. The team has been training in Montevideo, where Canada's group stage matches will be held, since the beginning of the month.Drawn into Group D More

Canada Soccer has named the 21 players selected to represent Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 taking place 13 November to 1 December. Canada’s team for the most prestigious women’s soccer event for players born before 2004 will be coached by two-ti More

Canada Soccer’s youngest players from the Women’s EXCEL Program gained invaluable tournament experience at the 2018 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship, ending the tournament in 5th place.Canada won three of its four matches, with a 1:0 win over Dominican Republic, a 7: 0 win ove More

Canada Soccer will have an opportunity to develop some of their youngest players from the Women’s EXCEL Program at the 2018 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship from 6 to 13 August. Canada will play at least four international matches and hopefully a fifth as they aim to reach the confe More

A late goal from Andersen Williams gave Canada a 2:1 victory over Haiti and secured the young Canadians’ spot at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018. All the scoring was done in the second half, with Canada's Jordyn Huitema and Haiti's Melchie Dumonay the goalscorers before the More

The young Canadians will have to wait until Tuesday to earn a spot at the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling to Mexico 1:2 in the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship semi-final. Teni Akindoju scored the lone goal for Canada, who will play for third place agains More

There are six nations left on the road to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 with only three spots up for grabs at the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship. Having been suspended because of civil unrest in Nicaragua, the competition this week resumes as Canada faces Costa Ric More

Canada will open the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship this Friday in a Group B match against Caribbean opponent Bermuda. The Friday 20 April match is the first of three group matches in five days for the young Canadian team in Managua, Nicaragua. Fans can watch Canada’s o More

Follow us

Canada finished fourth at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling 1:2 to New Zealand in the Match for Third Place at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. One of only three nations in the world to have finished top-10 in all six editions since 2008, Canada finished with their highest-ever ranking at fourth place.

“It’s been a heck of a ride for these young people,” said Rhian Wilkinson, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National U-17 Head Coach. “It was a heartbreak today, but you can only ask your players to leave everything on the field. I am so proud of what this group attempted to do in the second half.”

Down by two goals after 15 minutes, Canada put on the pressure and eventually cut the lead in the second half on a magnificent left-footed strike by Lara Kazandjian. Canada continued to press and create chances, but ultimately could not score the equaliser.

“I think the players will be very sad for the next little while, but then they’re going to look back at this journey and be very motivated to push on to a new level,” said Wilkinson. “Yes, we wish we walked away with a medal, but the players have discovered something about themselves in this tournament that will stay with them for the rest of their careers.”

Off the kickoff, Canada got caught playing the ball across their back line: after just 16 seconds, Grace Wisnewski pounced on an intercepted pass and gave New Zealand a 1:0 lead. Canada pushed back and nearly equalised just two minutes later, but, Jordyn Huitema’s apparent goal was called back after a foul inside the New Zealand box.

Canada went down two goals in the 13th minute after a clever Maggie Jenkins flick led to a second chance for Wisnewski which she put over the head of Anna Karpenko.

“We didn’t start very well,” said Wilkinson. “It was a rough start and our players will learn some lessons, but, again, I could not be prouder of my team and the effort they put on the field today.”

After making two subs after the break, Canada threatened again and again, dominating possession and creating multiple quality chances. In the 51’, after a long ranging run, splitting defenders and finding space, Huitema played through to Jessica De Filippo whose cross found Huitema again but, her header went off a defender into New Zealand goalkeeper Anna Leat’s arms. Just three minutes later, Kazandjian put another cross onto Huitema’s head, who again turned it toward goal, but, wide left.

In the 63’, Kazandjian brought a bouncing ball down at the top of the New Zealand box, took a touch to her right, then back onto her left foot and decisively put it into the right side of the goal behind Leat. Canada had drawn one back with just less than 30 minutes to play.

Caitlin Shaw fired just wide in the 68’ after Jordyn Huitema headed a long ball down to Kaila Novak who played back into Shaw’s path but Huitema missed by inches to the left of Leat’s post.

Huitema nearly got in alone in the 83’ after a long ball over the top from Karpenko fell to her, but, Leat was able to challenge and clear the danger. The pressure continued through the five minutes of added time, but, Canada couldn’t break through.

Canada’s starting line-up against New Zealand featured Anna Karpenko in goal, Jayde Riviere at right back, Jade Rose and Maya Antoine at centre back, Julianne Vallerand at left back, and Kaila Novak, Caitlin Shaw, Lara Kazandjian, Wayny Balata, Andersen Williams, and captain Jordyn Huitema from the midfield up through to the attack. In the second half, coach Wilkinson replaced Vallerand with Ariel Young (46’), Williams with Jessica De Filippo (46’), and Young with Sonia Walk (86’).

Despite the loss, Canada earned its best showing in the competition ever with a fourth place finish under newly appointed Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson at the helm, a position she had taken over just prior to the competition commencing.

"The experience Rhian has had over the past few weeks is tantamount to what some coaches will gain over five years, and she'll probably have to sit down and reflect on this once she is home because it has been a real whirlwind," said Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Canada Soccer Women's Excel Program Director and Women's National Team Head Coach. "She came in with much experience on the world stage as a player, but now she has shown she can excel at this level as a coach, too. I have never seen a coach bring a group together as quickly as she has. I think it is her tactical acuity as well as her personality and experience as a player that has allow her to create trust with these young players. Everyone who knows Rhian knows she is genuine. It is contagious, the team has adopted that honesty, and it's been a critical factor in their success."

Canada had early success in Group D, defeating Colombia 3:0 in its opening match, followed by a second clean sheet victory over the Korea Republic 2:0. Going into the third match having already qualified for the Quarter-final, Canada took the opportunity to rest several key players and gave significant development opportunities to the extended roster against a technically skilled Spanish side that are current European Champions and have finished in the top three at each of the last three FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups. The 5:0 loss to Spain placed Canada second in the group and set up the Quarter-final knockout match against Germany, who defeated the USA 4:0 that evening to top Group C.

Canada’s 1:0 victory over Germany in the Quarter-Final earned the team six matches in the tournament as a Semi-final berth guaranteed Canada would go on to play on the final two match days. Even though Canada was consigned to play for third place after 0:1 loss to Mexico in the Semi-final, the invaluable experience earned over six matches will remain with the young, talented team.

Canada’s best young players born in 2001 or later had the opportunity to gain critical tournament expertise as 20 of the 21 players on Canada’s roster saw game time across Canada’s four matches. The valuable experiences these players have gained against the best international players in their age group will further reinforce the Canada Soccer Women's EXCEL Program curriculum taught at the Regional EXCEL (REX) Centres across Canada. Having had the opportunity to put in action the lessons learned in REX, Canada Soccer's U-17 players have taken another big step in their development towards Canada Soccer's Women's National Team.

“These tournaments are very beneficial for the team, but even more so for the individual players on their development pathway,” said Heiner-Møller. “The pressure they come under, representing Canada on the world stage, and the growth that happens over the course of the tournament, is very impressive,”.

“While winning is certainly a goal at these tournaments, a more important element is gaining valuable international experience as players track towards our Women's National Team. Unlike nations that focus on long camps to develop teams ahead of competitions, Canada Soccer is investing in regional environments across Canada to develop individual players, but now having six international World Cup matches behind them, these players have had an incredible experience that will benefit the program, but more importantly each player as they move forward."

Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament but had previously reached its highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016.

A total of 32 matches, across four groups containing 16 teams, will be played to decide the winner of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018.

Korea DPR are the reigning champions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and the tournament's most successful competitor with two titles (2008, 2016). Japan (2014), South Korea (2010), and France (2012) have also raised the coveted youth trophy as the world's top U-17 women's team. Korea DPR was also the runner-up in 2012 and Japan was the runner-up in both 2010 and 2016.

Spain, whom Canada played in its final group stage match, were runners-up in 2014 and third place winners in 2010 and 2016.

A total of 32 nations have competed in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup since it started in 2008.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 is Canada's sixth appearance in the penultimate competition for players born before 2004. Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament reaching its highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016, with a historical total of six wins, six draws and six losses.

Canadians registered 14 goals at the competition prior to 2018, with Marie Levasseur topping the goal-scoring list with four in 2014.

Canada qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 by capturing third place at the Concacaf U-17 Women's Championship earlier this year.

Canada has twice before placed third in the Concacaf qualifier for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Trinidad and Tobago 2008 and Grenada 2016. Canada won the qualifier in Costa Rica 2010 and placed second in both Jamaica 2013 and Grenada 2016. In total, Canada has 17 wins, two draws and six losses in qualification campaigns for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cups.

Following Canada's successful hosting of the inaugural FIFA women's youth tournament, the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2002, FIFA began making plans to hold both the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to match the youth competition format for men. Notably, Canada Soccer Women's National Team Captain Christine Sinclair won the golden boot for most goals at the 2002 tournament as Canada placed runners-up to the USA and launching a rivalry that thrives today.About Canada Soccer's Women's National EXCEL ProgramCanada Soccer Women's National EXCEL Program brings together the best with the best at the national youth level, throughout the year. Operating across the U-14 to U-20 age groups, the program is designed to deliver an aligned talent structure and system that progresses more top players to Canada's Women's National Team. Major competitions are viewed as staging posts to assess development and allow for the development of the Women's EXCEL Team Playing Model and tournament processes and expertise which will ultimately prepare players to progress up the system.

Additionally, the most talented U-14 to U-18 players are offered a specialised daily training environment through the Regional EXCEL Program, which deliver Canada Soccer's national curriculum year-round through a two-tiered talent system, with three Super Centres streamlining Canada's National EXCEL Players into training environments in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec from smaller provincial licenced Centres.

Canada Soccer's Women's National TeamCanada is two-time Olympic bronze medal winners (2012 and 2016) and two-time Concacaf champions (1998 and 2010). In all, Canada has participated in six consecutive editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup (1995 to 2015) and three successive editions of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament (2008 to 2016). At Rio 2016, Canada Soccer's Women's National Team were the first Canadian Olympic team to win back-to-back medals at a summer Olympic Games in more than a century and the only FIFA Member Association to repeat on the podium.

Canada will compete for an seventh FIFA Women's World Cup in France next year. The draw to determine the group stage opponents takes place 8 December in Paris, France.

About Canada SoccerCanada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at www.canadasoccer.com

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team is aiming for a podium finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 as it gears up for the Match for Third Place against New Zealand on Saturday 1 December at 16:00 local (14:00 ET/11:00 PT) LIVE on TSN1 and RDS2 in Canada.

“This team had never played together before we began this camp in Uruguay at the start of November, so it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come, and the connections they have built, in such a short period,” said Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson. “It’s a testament to the development system we have in place in Canada, where regional centres across the nation teach the same curriculum and cultural lessons so that these players can come together with the same foundation despite some of them never having played together.”

Both Canada and New Zealand are fighting for their first-ever podium finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Since 2008, Canada has two wins, one draw, and one loss in all competitions at the women’s youth level against New Zealand, including a 1:0 victory in the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008. The two sides most recently faced each other in a 7 November 2018 friendly in Los Cespedes, Uruguay, with New Zealand winning 2:1 in a pre-tournament exhibition.

Canada’s match against New Zealand in Uruguay before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was Wilkinson’s first match at the helm as a Head Coach.

Despite the recent match, Wilkinson expects there will be surprises from both sides when the teams meet in the Match for Third Place on Saturday.

“We rotated the entire squad except for one ‘keeper in our friendly against New Zealand as we were trying our different things in preparation for the World Cup, so It’s going to be a very different match,” said Wilkinson. “But we’ve been watching them all tournament, and we know they are a very energetic team that likes to press, so we’ll be ready.”

Regardless of Saturday’s result, Canada will finish with its best showing ever in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. In FIFA youth competitions, Canada previously won silver at the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Canada 2002. At the senior level, Canada placed fourth at the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003.

“I'm a two-time bronze medallist at the Olympics, so I know the disappointment of a Semi-final loss, but I also know that the pure joy of a bronze medal and a podium finish is what we are now aiming for,” said Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson. “Going out there and putting on a performance that we are proud of is our main goal, and usually a great performance creates a positive result."

Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament. Canada had previously reached the highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016.

Canada marks the 10-year anniversary of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup as one of only six nations to have qualified for every edition since it was launched in 2008, alongside Germany, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand and Korea DPR.

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018

The official slogan for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is Same Game Same Emotion. (A slogan to unite the generations).

A total of 32 matches, across four groups containing 16 teams, will be played to decide the winner of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018.

Korea DPR are the reigning champions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and the tournament's most successful competitor with two titles (2008, 2016). Japan (2014), South Korea (2010), and France (2012) have also raised the coveted youth trophy as the world's top U-17 women's team. Korea DPR was also the runner-up in 2012 and Japan was the runner-up in both 2010 and 2016.

Spain, whom Canada played in its final group stage match, were runners-up in 2014 and third place winners in 2010 and 2016.

A total of 32 nations have competed in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup since it started in 2008.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 is Canada's sixth appearance in the penultimate competition for players born before 2004. Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament reaching its highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016, with a historical total of six wins, six draws and six losses.

Canadians registered 14 goals at the competition prior to 2018, with Marie Levasseur topping the goal-scoring list with four in 2014.

Canada qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 by capturing third place at the Concacaf U-17 Women's Championship earlier this year.

Canada has twice before placed third in the Concacaf qualifier for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Trinidad and Tobago 2008 and Grenada 2016. Canada won the qualifier in Costa Rica 2010 and placed second in both Jamaica 2013 and Grenada 2016. In total, Canada has 17 wins, two draws and six losses in qualification campaigns for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cups.

Following Canada's successful hosting of the inaugural FIFA women's youth tournament, the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2002, FIFA began making plans to hold both the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to match the youth competition format for men. Notably, Canada Soccer Women's National Team Captain Christine Sinclair won the golden boot for most goals at the 2002 tournament as Canada placed runners-up to the USA and launching a rivalry that thrives today.

About Canada Soccer's Women's National EXCEL ProgramCanada Soccer Women's National EXCEL Program brings together the best with the best at the national youth level, throughout the year. Operating across the U-14 to U-20 age groups, the program is designed to deliver an aligned talent structure and system that progresses more top players to Canada's Women's National Team. Major competitions are viewed as staging posts to assess development and allow for the development of the Women's EXCEL Team Playing Model and tournament processes and expertise which will ultimately prepare players to progress up the system.

Additionally, the most talented U-14 to U-18 players are offered a specialised daily training environment through the Regional EXCEL Program, which deliver Canada Soccer's national curriculum year-round through a two-tiered talent system, with three Super Centres streamlining Canada's National EXCEL Players into training environments in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec from smaller provincial licenced Centres.

Canada Soccer's Women's National TeamCanada is two-time Olympic bronze medal winners (2012 and 2016) and two-time Concacaf champions (1998 and 2010). In all, Canada has participated in six consecutive editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup (1995 to 2015) and three successive editions of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament (2008 to 2016). At Rio 2016, Canada Soccer's Women's National Team were the first Canadian Olympic team to win back-to-back medals at a summer Olympic Games in more than a century and the only FIFA Member Association to repeat on the podium.

Canada will compete for an seventh FIFA Women's World Cup in France next year. The draw to determine the group stage opponents takes place 8 December in Paris, France.

About Canada SoccerCanada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at www.canadasoccer.com.

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 team will now play for third place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after falling 0:1 to Mexico in the Semi-final at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. Canada will face New Zealand in the Match for Third Place on Saturday 1 December at 16:00 local (14:00 ET/11:00 PT) LIVE on TSN1 and RDS2 in Canada.

“I’m very proud of this team. I think they’re wonderful young women. Today wasn’t their day. Mexico deserved the win. I think we lost and they’ll learn from it and I think many of them will play for Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team one day,” said Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson. “I’ve said the whole way that we’re 21 strong, I believe in this team.

“We’re here for a podium finish now. It’s about getting over this. There were moments where we saw who they really are and moments where I don’t think they played to the best of their ability. However, they rose to the challenge and pushed to the end.”

In the opening 20 minutes, Canada and Mexico exchanged bouts of possession with Mexico going over the bar at 11’ and Canada repeating the feat in the 20’ minute through a Teni Akindoju shot.

In the 24’ Mexico’s pressure forced Maya Antoine to work to recover the ball from behind in the 18-yard box. Her challenge brought down the Mexican player in the box leading to a yellow card and a penalty kick which Nicole Perez converted to give Mexico a 1:0 lead in the 25’.

Canada immediately responded and applied pressure with Andersen Williams nearly getting a shot off before being tackled in the 18-yard box, and a Caitlin Shaw corner that was cleared by Mexico. A pair of Lara Kazandjian corner kicks provided Canada with another opportunity in the 34’ but Léonie Portelance drove the deflected second corner over the bar.

Huitema came close to scoring the equalizer in the 39’, however, the assistant referee called a foul on Teni Akindoju who collided with the last defender back to spring Huitema. In the 42’, Jayde Riviere stepped forward and found the space to put a cross into the Mexican 18, but the ball bounced and went wide of the Mexican goal.

Riviere and Huitema combined on the right wing just before half to force a desperate clearance from Mexico out of touch for a throw, but the referee blew the halftime whistle as the ball was thrown into play and the teams went to the dressing room with Canada down a goal.

Mexico had the first chance of the second half. A 25-yard shot went off the outside of Karpenko’s goal and away from danger in the 50’. For much of the second half, though, Mexico were happy to stay compact while Canada worked to play more direct than in the first half and playing with the lead, Mexico were able to keep Canada from registering a shot on target. Jordyn Huitema took a Wayny Balata pass and tried a long rage effort in the 83’, but it was over the bar.

Karpenko made a last-minute save and Balata followed up with a block as Mexico found space when Canada pressed hard in the last 10 minutes and five minutes of added time. Canada, however, were unable to equalize and will face New Zealand in the Match for Third Place.

Both Canada and New Zealand are fighting for their first-ever podium finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Since 2008, Canada have two wins, one draw, and one loss in all competitions at the women’s youth level against New Zealand, including a 1:0 victory in the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008. The two sides most recently faced each other in a 7 November 2018 friendly in Los Cespedes, with New Zealand winning 2:1 in a pre-tournament exhibition.

“New Zealand have a ton of heart,” Wilkinson said. “They are a great team and we better be ready, we’ve got to turn this around quickly.”

Despite the Semi-final loss, Canada will finish with its best showing in the competition. In FIFA youth competitions, Canada previously won silver at the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Canada 2002.

Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament. Canada had previously reached a highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016.

Canada’s starting line-up against Mexico featured Anna Karpenko in goal, Jayde Riviere at right back, Maya Antoine and Ariel Young at centre back, and Léonie Portelance at left back, Caitlin Shaw, Lara Kazandjian, and Sonia Walk at midfield, and Jordyn Huitema, Teni Akindoju, and Andersen Williams up front. In the second half, coach Rhian Wilkinson replaced Akindoju with Kaila Novak (46’), Walk with Wayny Balata (46’), and Williams with Jessica De Filippo (75’).

Canada marks the 10-year anniversary of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup as one of only six nations to have qualified for every edition since it was launched in 2008, alongside Germany, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand and Korea DPR.FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018

The official slogan for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is Same Game Same Emotion. (A slogan to unite the generations).

A total of 32 matches, across four groups containing 16 teams, will be played to decide the winner of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018.

Korea DPR are the reigning champions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and the tournament's most successful competitor with two titles (2008, 2016). Japan (2014), South Korea (2010), and France (2012) have also raised the coveted youth trophy as the world's top U-17 women's team. Korea DPR was also the runner-up in 2012 and Japan was the runner-up in both 2010 and 2016.

Spain, whom Canada played in its final group stage match, were runners-up in 2014 and third place winners in 2010 and 2016.

A total of 32 nations have competed in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup since it started in 2008.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 is Canada's sixth appearance in the penultimate competition for players born before 2004. Canada has placed in the top ten participating nations in each edition of the tournament reaching its highest position of seventh in New Zealand 2008 and Azerbaijan 2012. Canada placed tenth at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, eighth at Costa Rica 2014, and ninth in Jordan 2016, with a historical total of six wins, six draws and six losses.

Canadians registered 14 goals at the competition prior to 2018, with Marie Levasseur topping the goal-scoring list with four in 2014.

Canada qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 by capturing third place at the Concacaf U-17 Women's Championship earlier this year.

Canada has twice before placed third in the Concacaf qualifier for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, in Trinidad and Tobago 2008 and Grenada 2016. Canada won the qualifier in Costa Rica 2010 and placed second in both Jamaica 2013 and Grenada 2016. In total, Canada has 17 wins, two draws and six losses in qualification campaigns for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cups.

Following Canada's successful hosting of the inaugural FIFA women's youth tournament, the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2002, FIFA began making plans to hold both the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to match the youth competition format for men. Notably, Canada Soccer Women's National Team Captain Christine Sinclair won the golden boot for most goals at the 2002 tournament as Canada placed runners-up to the USA and launching a rivalry that thrives today.About Canada Soccer's Women's National EXCEL ProgramCanada Soccer Women's National EXCEL Program brings together the best with the best at the national youth level, throughout the year. Operating across the U-14 to U-20 age groups, the program is designed to deliver an aligned talent structure and system that progresses more top players to Canada's Women's National Team. Major competitions are viewed as staging posts to assess development and allow for the development of the Women's EXCEL Team Playing Model and tournament processes and expertise which will ultimately prepare players to progress up the system.

Additionally, the most talented U-14 to U-18 players are offered a specialised daily training environment through the Regional EXCEL Program, which deliver Canada Soccer's national curriculum year-round through a two-tiered talent system, with three Super Centres streamlining Canada's National EXCEL Players into training environments in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec from smaller provincial licenced Centres.

Canada Soccer's Women's National TeamCanada is two-time Olympic bronze medal winners (2012 and 2016) and two-time Concacaf champions (1998 and 2010). In all, Canada has participated in six consecutive editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup (1995 to 2015) and three successive editions of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament (2008 to 2016). At Rio 2016, Canada Soccer's Women's National Team were the first Canadian Olympic team to win back-to-back medals at a summer Olympic Games in more than a century and the only FIFA Member Association to repeat on the podium.

Canada will compete for an seventh FIFA Women's World Cup in France next year. The draw to determine the group stage opponents takes place 8 December in Paris, France.

About Canada SoccerCanada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at www.canadasoccer.com